134 FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

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which ought early to be learned by dependent
creatures. “Tis both duty and wisdom; but
many of us come into the world and go out of it
without duly weighing its importance. I very
sensibly feel the want of that state of mind that
can more fully, at all times, say: “Thy will, not
mine, be done!” I cannvt doubt that the same
Providence who hath so mercifully cared for me
and mine, will continue his care over me; and
this, rightly considered, would prevent anxiety.

I have no reason to believe Katy was dis-
pleased with her visit in Jersey. Her pleasant,
unreserved chit-chat occasioned the time to pass
very agreeably, so like the days when my daugh-
ters were about me; so that I felt quite lonesome
after she left us.

I have had a short but severe turn of illness,
being taken in Philadelphia on Fifth-day night.
I came home next day; was very ill in the after-
noon ; Seventh-day it abated, and I am now about
again. I found thy James better than I thought
possible. If he lives he may be a comfort to his
friends, equal to the anxiety they have felt on
his account.

In near love to you all, thy loving father,

Dnelbespop

Martha Allinson to David Cooper.

8th mo. 5th, 1788.

My dear Father,—TI received thy letter yester-
day, which mentions thy having been ill. It
always afflicts me to hear that thou art sick when
I cannot be with thee. If I should lose thee, as
we did dear sister Anne, without a parting inter-
view, I think it will be more than I can bear.
T am often afraid of it. I have again and again
begged for thy life, and it has been mercifully
granted me, to my great comfort, and that of many
others. Thy saying an old person in a house is
often one too many hurts me much. Let me beg
thee not to entertain such a wrong idea. Even
those whom we now have are often a source of
comfort and satisfaction tome. When I see them
cheerful and easy in their situation, I feel thank-
ful that we have it in our power to afford them a
comfortable home ; and I sometimes hope their last
may be their best days. What they do is equal
to what they receive, and I dare say that for
every act of kindness done tosuch there will be a
sufficient reward. It does me good to see elderly
people comfortably accommodated in the decline
of life. How much more, dear father, how in-
expressibly greater the satisfaction, in seeing
lengthened out the day of a beloved parent, so
capable of giving instruction to children and
grandchildren; pleased with the task, cheerful
under the infirmities even of old age, and quietly
journeying on towards that city which hath
foundations, whose builderand maker isthe Lord,
who never leayes and never will forsake those

 

who put their trust in him. This I know;—I
often wish to haye it in my power from day to
day to contribute to thy having all thou canst wish
for in this world, and of beholding thee easy and —
resigned to the dispensaticns of Providence,
whose ways are in wisdom, and his paths past
our finding out.

Our James seems likely now to get sound and
well, and we hope to release Doctor Bush. We
have an expectation of getting down to your
next General Meeting. With much love to all,
I am thy affectionate daughter,

MarrtHa ALLINSON.

On the 4th of 8th month D. Cooper attended
Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, and the next
day the Youths’ Meeting in the morning, and
the “‘ Negro Meeting” in the afternoon. Friends
used regularly to hold meetings for the people
of color, which were largely attended, and this
was one means by which our predecessors were
enabled to keep their hands upon the hearts of
this class of citizens, and to influence them for
good. The writer remembers hearing in his boy-

‘hood aged colored persons speaking of these

meetings, with glistening countenances and en-
thusiastic emotion, and affectionately pronoun-
cing the names of prominent Friends who parti-
cipated in them; as, William Savery, Rebecca
Jones, Daniel Offley, Thomas Scattergood, &c.
On Fourth-day, the sixth of the month, and
the day following, D. C. attended Abington
Quarterly Meeting, and the Youths’ Meeting
on the next day. He alludes to having services
in these meetings, saying, “although they ap-
peared small yet I felt easy in my own mind.”
On First-day, the 24th, D. C., having been at
the Select Quarterly Meeting in Burlington the
day previous, went with the elder Samuel Em-
len, (then rather prematurely returned from his
fifth visit to Great Britain, which he went again
to complete in 1796,) to attend Rancocas meet-
ing, having by the way
** communion sweet,
Communion large and high,”
with this learned, dedicated and remarkably
gifted minister of Christ. On the following
days he attended at Burlington the Quarterly
Meeting for business and the Youths’ Meeting,
both of which were “ uncommonly large.” On
Fourth-day he rode to the Falls, in Bucks
county, where he attended the Quarterly Meet-
ing with its attendant gatherings, which closed
with the Youths’ Meeting on Sixth-day. “ These
meetings,” he writes, “ were also very large, but
a low time at this place.”’ hog

Daniel Offley to David Cooper.
Philadelphia, 9th mo. 9th, 1788.
Dear David,—Thine of the 2d inst. I have
received, and thou hast touched on a subject
which has at many times closely engaged my
thoughts ; not so much from its interesting na-
ture, as from a desire to ascertain for myself the